Make a List and Check it Twice

Less than three weeks away until a New Year!

Do you have some unfinished business you need to take care of as another year comes to an end? New Year's resolutions shouldn't be a chore. They should be goals that you can stick to. In may be hard for most people to follow but in order to do so, you need to prepare for them. As the year 2013 approaches, take the time to reflect on the changes you want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes.

Keep it simple.

One of the top 10 New Year's Resolutions on just about everyone's list is to get organized. Reducing the clutter in your life and finding peace in your home will make you feel better and in turn, happier.

Creating a check off list is a good start to getting organized. There's a great sense of relief when checking off that one or two boxes off of your long to-do list. However, checking off one box may mean adding one or more boxes to the list and the list continues.
If things get overwhelming though, which it may, it's a good idea to take a step back and just enjoy the moment you're in, check-box free.


So whether it's quitting an addiction or learning something new, or spending more time with family and friends, getting organized and reducing the clutter in your life should be prioritized so that more doors can open up to brighter opportunities.

Good luck!

Winter Blues

Hello December!


The fresh, ice blue color seems to be an eye catching trend in the design field. From the painted walls, to accent furniture, to area rugs, the ice blue color really makes a statement. Blue exemplifies the freshness of the ocean, the sky, and the coolness even leaves a soothing feeling. I even read about the ice blue seen in the interior of the new 2013 Ford Fusion. But of course there's more to interior lighting than the color itself.

Turquoise patterned sofa with jewel tones. Retrieved from Sugarluxe. 2012.

Stylish blue wall bedroom interior with white accessories.
Retrieved from Trendzona. 2012

Painting your walls can be a wonderful, rewarding change. Don't hesitate to ask a professional if you plan to update your home. Call the team at Ida York Interior Design today at 503.688.9499 if you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation. We love to work with color and we are here to help you love your space!

Let it Snow!

Season's Greetings!

The Pittock Mansion is looking more festive and magical than ever! The Nieces' Bedroom is glowing with sparkles so be sure to bring your family and friends and come check out the creative displays in person for a magical experience!

Nieces' Bedroom at the Pittock Mansion. 2012.

Let it Glow! 2012.

The dates for this six week display are from November 19 - January 1. For more information about the hours and ticket costs for the Pittock Mansion, check out http://pittockmansion.org/.

Cheers!

November Updates

Here are some awesome updates for this beautiful month of November!

The team at IYID are participating in the holiday decorating at the Pittock Mansion, a Portland historic house museum. This year we're adopting the Nieces' Bedroom where we're going to incorporate touches of purples, golds and silver in the decor. In accordance to this years theme, Celebrating Christmas Carols, we chose the song, Let it Snow, where we will transform the bedroom into a magical winter wonderland.
There's an expected 17,000 visitors to view the house this season. The dates for this six week display are from November 19 - January 1. Be sure to bring your family and friends and come check out the creative displays for guests of all ages to enjoy.

For more information about the hours and ticket costs for the Pittock Mansion, click here.

Sparkly, shiny lights and decor
will transform the bedroom into a Winter Wonderland!

Progress at the upcoming Bamboo Thai Cuisine is coming along. The restaurant is looking fresher and brighter with the new chic lights that have been hung throughout the space. The beautiful porcelain tiles have also been installed. The shiny lights and rich flooring will be sure to bring elegance to the space tying in the new, unique Thai dishes that the chef will be adding to the menus.

Be sure to check back for more updates!

We hope you are excited for the holiday festivities as much as we are!

Looking to Expand Your Business?

Greetings,

Are you thinking about expanding and growing your current business? Whether you own a gourmet food truck or food cart, taking the next step in owning your very own restaurant is a big decision to make and the staff at IYID are here to help you. We specialize in restaurant design and we can work with business owners to create the best possible space by creating a design that compliments your vision and style for new and returning customers to appreciate.

So ask yourself: Do you see yourself expanding your menu but need more room to make that happen? Are you ready to experience owning a restaurant? Do you want to turn your vision into a reality?

There are many restaurants in the heart of Portland that are favored by many. What people don't realize is the importance of the surrounding while they're dining. Interior design is important when determining how welcoming or comfortable the space may be for customers to enjoy their meal with their co-workers, friends or family. From the tables or booths guests dine at, to the lighting hanging above them, their surroundings reflect how long they decide to dine-in or even come in at all; in addition to the friendliness and knowledge of the wait staff. 

Working with us is easy.

When a person teams up with IYID, that person has the opportunity to experience the fun side of interior design - we handle the paperwork, ordering and so on, so that our clients don't have to.

 If you are thinking about expanding or opening a new restaurant, call the experts at IYID today at 503-688-9499 so we can help you turn your vision into a reality!

Happy Halloween!

Changing Up for Autumn!

Fall has finally arrived!

As the leaves turn orange and the days get shorter, it may be time for a little change as we get ready for the holidays! These simple updates and fun little touches can bring personality and interest to your home.

     

Play with textures and color for some fall flavor to add to your table top decor.

Retrieved from Midwest Living. 2012.

A patterned area rug or colorful cushion can add that extra spark and interest to a room where you may want to highlight your sofa or chair. Retrieved from Real Simple. 2012.

Toss odd number of throw pillows on your couch and infuse personality by mixing materials and brightly textured patterns with pops of color to emphasis a neutral room.

Retrieved from Real Simple. 2012.

You can also update your space by moving around furniture, adding lighting, hanging up new wall art, or even trying a new coat of paint. Adding these little touches can make a space come to life! Call us today at 503.688.9499 so we can help you love your space!

Outstanding Table Top Award

Greetings everyone!

We are very excited to announce that our dining space Where to Next? was awarded the Outstanding Table Top Award via the panel of judges last weekend at the Serving Up Style gala fundraiser! It was a crazy week with long hours shuffling around the colorful tulle and setting up for final reveal in just two days. This was our first year participating in Serving Up Style and it was definitely a memorable, rewarding week. The staff at IYID already has ideas for creating an even more whimsical dining space next year!

Hand fabricated with steel wires, then painted and draped with tulle and shear gives this hot air balloon its elegance
that received many Ooo's and Ahhh's by the thousands of viewers who attended the show.
This balloon sits at 7 ft. high and 6 ft. wide and weighs approx. 30 lbs, if not less. Photo by Anne Lien. 2012. 

The flaming reds and oranges in the centerpiece
acts as the flames to fuel the hot air balloon.
Thank you, Andrea, for this beautiful addition!
Provided by Silk Botanicals NW. 

A magnifying glass and rolled up map
were carefully chosen to add as our finishing
touches to our table setting.

Other items to complete the table top included
a compass, a telescope, a globe,
lanterns, and of course, our hand-crafted
one-of-a-kind hot air balloon.

Thank you to all of our friends and families for all of your support in making this a successful event. We want to also congratulate all of the talented designers and their beautiful showcases. They were all so amazing and magical! These designers did a spectacular job at representing the best in design in the city of Portland.

In turn, this event helped raise over $52k to help benefit the lupus awareness and service initiatives of Molly's Fund Fighting Lupus. Way to go everyone!

Be sure to check out HGTV Design Start, Emily Henderson, who gave shout-outs to some of the designers, including IYID!

Have a fantastic week and please stay tuned for more updates on our current projects!

Mark Your Calendars!

Serving Up Style 2012 is just around the corner...

Please come support us and the design community at this years premier design event at the Portland Fall Home & Garden Show, taking place October 4-7, 2012 at the Expo Center. http://www.servingupstyle.org/. Our whimsical dining space name is Where to Next?. Our dining experience centers around a hot air balloon for a one-of-a-kind ride-and-dine experience-- come see how we've achieved it!  

Hot - Orange Slice - Balloon. Retrieved from thechive.com. 2012

Tickets can be purchased at the door for $10 and include entrance into both the Fall Home & Garden Show as well as Serving Up Style. You can also click on the following link for a coupon http://www.otshows.com/pfhs/the-show/discount-coupon/. All proceeds from the event benefit the lupus awareness and service initiatives of Molly's Fund Fighting Lupus. http://www.mollysfund.org/

Spread the word to your family and friends! This is a fun event to not miss!  

Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you there! 

Irvington District, Portland, Oregon

Guestroom 

This room was functioning as a personal overflow space for the homeowners, and now needed to be used as a second guestroom.  A joy for local artwork, a wonderful collection of vintage rag dolls as well as a framed map of wonderland from the homeowners' childhood served as inspiration for the project. Space to organize and a bed for guests to sleep, were our priorities. 

Before Picture 

Before Picture

Working with existing furnishings and bedding, we needed to bring a cohesive design to the space.   Since color was welcome-we knew the best accent color for this space was red! We added some much needed light in the form of table lamps and a floor lamp.  The red chair above functions for guests as well as a desk chair for a dresser/desk vintage piece located just beyond the floor lamp on the left. The rag dolls found their new home on the new double bed and a wine cabinet that was already in the space worked well as an end table in addition to a yarn organizer. 

The storage solution came in the form of this handsome custom built-in. This new piece of furniture also gave space to display some of the local art work that the homeowners have collected over the years. It's also a great way to fully utilize an angled wall.  

Dining With A Twist!

Greetings!

This summer has been a busy past couple of months for the staff at IYID. We are currently working on a new restaurant project located right here in downtown Portland, just one block from the water front. There has been many changes and additions to the design and we can't wait for guests to come see and experience this family-friendly dining experience. This restaurant has been designed with a twist for a chic and modern look that will be sure to satisfy your taste-buds.

Preliminary Perspective Rendering of the Restaurant by Anne Lien. 2012.

Construction is currently taking place with an anticipated grand opening just around the corner.
Stay tuned for more details!...

Serving Up Style Teasers

Hello September! 

Picnic on the Prairie Field. Retrieved from 123rf. 2012.

We are less than one month away until Serving Up Style! We are so excited and anxious for this years premier design event. With long hours of research and designing, our whimsical dining environment will be sure to blow you away! (hint hint)

A collection of items will be collected throughout this journey and used with a twist to compliment the theme. Only those lucky enough will be able to dine at this elegant adventure.

Fiber Optic Lights. Retrieved from Light-bulbs.us. 2012

But that's not all...

Our fiber optic lights have arrived! These thin strands of fiberglass will be incorporated within the design to illuminate the dining space for a romantic, unforgettable experience.

Mark your calenders for the Portland Fall Home and Garden Show, October 4-7 at the Expo Center. 

See you there!

Stay tuned for more teasers!...

In the Jungle, The Mighty Jungle..

Have you ever wondered how the color green can affect your daily life?

Green is a powerful color of balance, growth and harmony. When you add green to a space like these plant walls and plant wires by Green Fortune, it creates a room full of energy and a desire to expand. It's almost like being in a jungle (only without the mighty lion and plethora of insects)! 

Plant wall by Green Fortune. Retrieved 2012.

Plantwire by Green Fortune. Retrieved 2012.

So when you want a new state of balance and a need for growth without being outdoors, put some green into your life for a down-to-earth feeling.

Go Bold.. Go Red!

Guest Bedroom Redesign

Guest Bedroom Perspective Render by Anne Lien. 2012.

At one point in time, this room was part of a large one-bedroom on the second floor of a local clients home located in the Irvington District. Now the space is used as a storage room. The clients are now ready for a redesign where guests can stay the night in this additional bedroom!

This room was designed to have custom built shelving to store any items and goodies (e.g. crafts) hidden from the entrance. Playing with various textures, a patterned wool rug mixed with the linen bedding, and natural woods found in the head board and night stands are chosen.

Splashes of red in the furniture selection and lighting unify this bedroom with other items that are precious to the client. By using a variety of lamps, we are able to light the unique art pieces and pictures on display.

Renovation will take place soon. Stay tuned for before-and-after pictures!

Cool Off with Folding Glass Doors

Hello August!

What better way to enjoy some cool breeze with these folding glass doors!
These extremely adaptable doors allow in natural ventilation and daylight with a clear view of the outdoors while staying energy efficient and giving an aesthetically pleasing look.
Having an open floor plan is another way to keep fresh air flowing through the house.

Folding Patio Door. Retrieved from DoorStyles.com. 2012.

Thailand Butterfly House. Retrieved from Decordir. 2012.

In Thailand, these prefabricated houses called Soe Ker Tie Hia or "Butterfly Houses" are used as an effective natural ventilation method. The bamboo weave technique is so delicate and skillful it is no wonder these houses are beneficial for both hot days and rainy days!

Glowing Up

Tgif!

Here is this weeks teaser for what IYID will be bringing to Serving Up Style...

Lanterns in the sky. Retrieved from The Lost Girls. 2012.

Have a great weekend and stay tuned for more clues!...

The Chokshi's Kitchen

There are some design projects that actually change the way lives are lived.  Kitchens are often one of them and such was the case for the Chokshi's.   Since this kitchen is a condo in San Francisco, and in order to maximize the budget, it was determined early on that we would not move walls or plumbing.  The remodel was more of a swap out with some fabulous twists.  The result was a huge change without moving a single wall.  Yes, it can be done!  

Before Picture

Before the remodel, the kitchen had outdated cabinetry and a huge portion of the space was dominated by an over sized refrigerator.  There was wasted space in numerous locations. Short cabinets coupled with an outdated florescent light said 1982 all over!  The clincher was simple to see, there was no oven.  Yes, some people actually exclude major appliances from their kitchen design.  As a result, the space was not at all functional for a family who enjoys cooking and entertaining. 

For the solution, the first thing we did was maximize space.  We brought the cabinets to the ceiling, pushed the refrigerator back into the appropriate place added a breakfast counter and cabinetry around to the front of the breakfast bar.   We added style with glass shelves and glass door cabinets for display.  We worked with local manufactures and craftsmen to decrease the footprint of the project.  A recycled glass counter, cork flooring and reforested wood cabinetry was installed.  A local artist designed and fabricated the pendent lights and all together the once dark and outdated kitchen was transformed into a chic urban space for our clients.  Now, this family who loves to entertain can do just that! 

Thank you for great photography from Robert Hatch Photography and beautiful quality construction by Russell Valby with CCMFC&C Construction both located in San Francisco. 

Let the Competition Begin!

Summer has finally begun!

If you haven't already heard, the team at IYID will be participating in this years Serving Up Style held at the Portland Expo Center from October 4 – October 7. This years premier design event features 20 prominent design teams competing to create stunning dining environments in showcasing at the Portland Fall Home & Garden Show. This is a “vote for your favorite” showcase with five awards to be given out to the winning design teams. Please come join us and cast your vote at this four-day event and check out the best talents that Portland has to offer. This is an event to not miss!

All proceeds benefit the lupus awareness of Molly's Fund Fighting Lupus.

To find out more about this event, please visit www.servingupstyle.org.

Here is a teaser of what IYID will be bringing to the competition...

Sunrise over the mountains. Retrieved from HomeAway. 2012.

Stay tuned for more clues on what IYID has to come!...

Illuminate Your Summer Nights

Greetings.

My name is Anne Lien. I am a recent member to Ida York's interior design team. I would like to first briefly share a little bit about myself. I graduated from Oregon State University with dual degrees in Interior Design and Applied Visual Arts. I guess I've always enjoyed the abundance of textile patterns and textures, the endless color palette combinations, to the striking spaces that surround us in our daily lives which brought me to where I am today. When I am not designing or making art, I enjoy going hiking, biking, discovering new places and meeting new people, and hanging out with friends for happy hour. I am excited and pleased to join IYID and I look forward to sharing some great ideas and inspirations with you!

So as far as blogging goes, I've been debating on what to post for my very first blog. Hmm, since I am a true Oregonian and I tend to keep track of Oregon's sporadic weather, I feel like summer should be enjoyed at its most because we anticipate the handful of warm summer days that Portland gets. (And it tends to pass by so quickly!) Before you know, it will be autumn!

When I hear the word summer, I think of heat, blue skies, lounging by the poolside, sipping on a strawberry lemonade. As I capture the sunsets in the evenings, some craft ideas for external lighting came to mind. In particular, the back yard patio or deck is a great place to entertain friends or just kick back, relax and enjoy the summer breeze. 

Glass lanterns. Retrieved from BuildDirect. 2012.

Tiki torch planter. Retrieved from LowesCreativeIdeas. 2012

To change the feel of the environment, lighting tiki torches either grouped in a potted plant or lined up in the ground can create a playful, island-like theme. Another way to create soft lighting is by using glass jars as lanterns with small candles inside and hanging them on branches of the trees.

I found a cheaper, more simpler way to light up the yard by using solar power lights. These lights are efficient and come in a variety of shapes, size, and effects, but do be aware of the lack of quality of these garden lights. String lights and candles can add a touch of class and elegance to your yard for a romantic evening. I love these simple lighting ideas that can create a different atmosphere right in your very own backyard!

These lighting ideas will be sure to create an enjoyable festivity for the long summer evenings so go get crafty and light away! Click here to read tips on how to hang string lighting.

Disclaimer note: All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. www.iyorkinteriordesign.com makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.

Outdoor Living Rooms

Picture these three words... outdoor living room. If you do not feel instantly relaxed, then you're probably sitting on the wrong furniture! Out door living spaces can easily become the "best space in the house." When properly designed and appointed they can often steal the show from their interior sibling, the living room, making it easier and more enjoyable to entertain during the summer and fall. They can be as relaxing, exciting or romantic as you'd like. Outdoor living rooms can turn your backyard into a nightly vacation destination.

Buckner Living Room

This living room was designed for a family of four. The parents wanted a space that felt "grown up." A space they could invite friends and family to entertain. We changed the fireplace facade as well as the furnishings and paint. The layout, colors and fabrics chosen offer sophistication while still being family friendly. I am happy to report that this project is in the ordering phase. It's always exciting to see a design implemented.